Kathmandu (Rajeev Sharma): Nepal is still grappling with the aftermath of devastating flash floods that struck the country’s central and northern regions a month ago, with authorities reporting 1,453 deaths and 5,285 people still unaccounted for.
The latest figures released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) indicate that 1,451 bodies have been recovered, while two other victims died during medical treatment.
Rescue operations have so far helped 13,795 people, although hundreds of survivors continue to remain in temporary facilities. Authorities said 1,113 people are currently housed across 21 holding centres.
Among those staying in the centres are 187 people from Nuwakot, 805 from Rasuwa and 121 from Dhading, three of the areas badly affected by the disaster.
The floods began on August 26 after intense flash flooding near the Nepal-Tibet border. The resulting surge travelled downstream through the Bhotekoshi River, causing extensive destruction across communities in northern and central Nepal.
Homes, vehicles, roads and bridges were swept away as floodwaters moved through affected areas. Several hydropower projects also suffered damage, adding to the scale of the losses caused by the disaster.
One month on, rescue and recovery efforts continue as authorities work to account for thousands of people who remain missing and provide assistance to those displaced by the floods.
The continuing high number of missing people highlights the enormous humanitarian impact of the disaster, while communities across the affected districts face the difficult task of rebuilding homes and infrastructure damaged by the floods.
